The rocky road from Dublin 6 - Remarks on "Communities, Networking and Virtual Support"
29-October-2005
permalink email thisThroughout the short history of the VETNET programme at ECER the issues of 'networking' and 'virtual support' have been taken up regularly in one way or the other. First these sessions were contact workshops for sharing information on various networks. Then, during some years they had the character of demonstration workshops for presenting the ongoing piloting with new virtual platforms to support research cooperation networks. Later on, there was a need to deepen the discussion with analyses on the emergence, high seasons and dissolution of networks (based on the developments in European VET research).
For the ECER '05 the choice of the intiators was to organise a research workshop that tries to analyse the dynamics between thematic networking, community-building processes and the role of web-based support facilities. The aim was not only to present well-researched analyses on what has happened but to get insights into the changing relations between knowledge development, cross-cultural collaboration and co-participative tool development. In this respect, the worshop provided a learning arena and a challenge, how to take on board quite recent expriences that have not been well-documented and conceptualised.
My role as the initiator was to present the background analysis and to open the debate. Since my background paper and the related power poin presentation are available on the VETNET page, there is no need for long commentaries. In the first part of my paper I analysed the development of networks in European VET research. I brought into picture evolutionary tendencies that had led (after a more integrative period) towards a fragmented and sporadic network landscape with an encapsulated approach to research themes. After a critical situation assessment concerning the diversity of positions concerning the future of VET research I brought into picture some new possibilities to revitalise the research culture and the research & development dialogue in VET research. These new possibilities were to be explored more closely in the subsequent presentations.
Extended text for this entry:
The next speaker, Alan Brown, presented the joint work that had been undertaken by researchers and career guidance professionals in creating the National Guidance Research Forum. The joint paper of Sally-Ann Barnes, Jenny Bimrose and Alan Brown is also available on the VETNET page. This paper is really worth searching (from its curret hideout) and reading carefully. It gives an example of a well-thought deveopmental of virtual platforms in which a) the needs of the users (for research-based support), b) the existing knowledge-bases (that are available as references) and c) the patterns of the users to work with such resources are related to each other. The second case to be presented - the SPEAK-support environment for Irish community development projects - was discussed from the perspective of the domain expert, Brian Dillon, and the technical developer, Ray Elferink. This tandem presentation provided insights into the mutually supporting circle between pilot projects in the field, the domain-oriented facilitator and the software developer. Although this presentation could only be taken as oral contribution, similar messages are coming through from the paper that analyses the Guidance Research Forum. Obviously, a major part of the discussion focused on the interesting cases and the related experiences with the development work. To some extent attention was paid on the limited success of such piloting in the VET research community or within Vocational Teacher Education. In this respect the discussion could only make some introductory remarks to be taken up by further research and to be considered in new developmental initiatives. Pekka Kämäräinen
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